Target Device for Determining Received Hits in a Light Based Weapons Simulation System

ABSTRACT

A target device is usable with a simulation system which includes a weapon simulator having a trigger, a chamber for firing a blank cartridge in response to the trigger, and a transmitter arranged to emit a light signal defining one or more activation codes of prescribed duration in response to the trigger. The target device includes a sensor array of photodiodes and a processor receiving output signals from the photodiodes. The processor determines that the sensor array has been hit by the weapon simulator in response to a first portion of one activation code being received by one of the photodiodes and at least one second portion of the same activation code being received by the same or a different one of the photodiodes when the first portion and the at least one second portion correspond to an entirety of one activation code within the respective prescribed duration.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a target device arranged to be worn bya user in a weapon simulation system including a simulated weaponarranged to emit a light signal in which the target device is arrangedto determine that the user has been hit by the simulated weapon when thelight signal is received.

BACKGROUND

Various types of combat simulation systems are known for trainingsoldiers and law enforcement officers. For example U.S. Pat. No.4,487,583 by Brucker et al. discloses a weapons engagement simulationsystem in which a pulsed beam is generated from a simulated weapon whichalso incorporates the ability to fire blank charges. Users also wear avest supporting an array of photodiodes thereon which are arranged tosense the light beam from the weapon directed upon the sensors. A hit isdetermined only if any single sensor receives an entire activation codewithin the pulsed beam. As shown in FIG. 7 of Brucker, hits aredetermined by individual hit detectors 66 which are each coupled to onlyone respective photodiode. To minimize interference from ambient lightsignals received upon the photodiodes which might represent erroneoushit signals, the pulsed beam must have a sufficient duration to define asufficiently long and complex activation code. In the example byBrucker, several pulses with a two millisecond spacing are required todefine an activation code which defines a hit signal. When firing ablank round together with a light beam being transmitted from thesimulated weapon however, the recoil of the weapon from the blank roundtypically results in the light beam not being focussed on any singlediode for a sufficient duration for the diode to receive the entirety ofthe activation code.

Another weapon engagement simulation system is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 7,872,849 by Elliott Jr. This system similarly comprises simulatedweapons which generate light beams arranged to be detected by sensors onvests worn by the users. The sensors in this instance however comprisesolar cells. When incorporating the firing of blank rounds together witha light beam emitting from the simulated weapon, the resulting recoilcan cause the light beam to be displaced across the solar cells in amanner which results in the magnitude of light received at any one areaof the solar cell being too weak to record a hit.

In other light based weapons engagement simulation systems, the recoileffect is compensated for by transmitting light in a cone shaped beam sothat slight variations in the aiming of the simulated weapon resultingfrom recoil still maintains sufficient light at a single prescribedsensor for sufficient duration to activate a hit signal. The large coneshape required can result in determination of hits being received evenwhen the actual centre of the cone representing the target location ofthe simulated weapon is offset and misaligned with the target sensors.Furthermore, the cone beam typically activates a large number of sensorssuch that subsequent pinpointing of the actual target location isdifficult or impossible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a targetdevice for use in a weapons simulation system including a weaponsimulator having a trigger, a firing chamber arranged for firing a blankcartridge responsive to actuation of the trigger, and a transmitterarranged to emit a light signal responsive to actuation of the trigger,the light signal comprising a beam of pulsed light defining one or moreactivation codes, each of prescribed duration, the target devicecomprising:

a sensor array comprising a plurality of photodiodes arranged togenerate respective output signals responsive to light received thereon;

a processor associated with the sensor array so as to be arranged toreceive the output signals from the photodiodes of the sensor array;

the processor being arranged to determine that the sensor array has beenhit by the weapon simulator in response to a first portion of oneactivation code being received by one of the photodiodes and at leastone second portion of said activation code being received by the same ora different one of the photodiodes in which the first portion and saidat least one second portion correspond to an entirety of one activationcode and in which the first portion and said at least one second portionare received within the respective prescribed duration; and

an output arranged to output a hit signal in response to determinationby the processor that the sensor array has been hit by the weaponsimulator.

In this instance, even if a light signal is projected across multiplesensors within a sensor array, for example as a result of the weaponrecoiling from the simultaneous firing of a blank cartridge, monitoringof the output of all of the sensors within the array by a commonprocessor allows a hit signal to be detected even if the light signaldoes not remain focussed on a single sensor. Accordingly, a preciselight beam can still be used for ensuring hits are only determined ifthe weapon is clearly aligned with the actual target. Furthermore, thespecific target location can be determined and recorded for scoring orother purposes if desired.

Preferably there is provided at least one filter layer spanning over thesensor array so as to be arranged to prevent at least some undesirablelight from reaching the photodiodes and at least one attenuation layerspanning over the sensor array in which said at least one attenuationlayer is arranged to attenuate any light directed at the photodiodes.

The target device may further include a striking surface spanning overthe sensor array which may be part of the filter layer, the attenuatorlayer or a separate focal plane layer. In either instance, eachphotodiode is preferably supported at a prescribed focal length from thestriking surface such that a focal plane of the photodiode at thestriking surface has a prescribed focal width and such that eachphotodiode is spaced apart from other diodes corresponding to a distancebetween centers of the photodiodes which is less than the prescribedfocal width.

When there is a plurality of target devices of like configuration,preferably each target device includes a carrier body upon which therespective sensor array, the respective processor and the respectiveoutput are supported in which the carrier body is arranged to besupported on a respective body portion of a user.

Preferably a hub is in communication with the output of each targetdevice which includes a transmitter so as to be arranged to transmit ahit signal received from any one of the target devices.

The transmitter may be a radio frequency transmitter such that the hitsignal transmitted therefrom comprises a radio frequency signal.

Preferably the hub is arranged to associate a target deviceidentification of a respective one of the target devices with each hitsignal received from the target devices and transmit the target deviceidentification with the hit signal.

The target device is well suited for use with an electrical shockingdevice which is arranged to communicate with the hub and deliver anelectrical shock to a user in response to a hit signal being receivedfrom the hub.

The sensor array may include at least one reflective sensor supported ona carrier body in which the carrier body is arranged to be supported ona user such that said at least one reflective sensor is oriented tocapture light signal reflected off of the user.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided atarget device for use in a weapons simulation system including a weaponsimulator having a trigger and a transmitter arranged to emit a lightsignal responsive to actuation of the trigger, the light signalcomprising a beam of pulsed light defining one or more activation codes,each of prescribed duration, the target device comprising:

a sensor array comprising a plurality of photodiodes arranged togenerate respective output signals responsive to light received thereon;

a processor associated with the sensor array so as to be arranged toreceive the output signals from the photodiodes of the sensor array;

the processor being arranged to determine that the sensor array has beenhit by the weapon simulator in response to one activation code beingreceived collectively by the photodiodes within the respectiveprescribed duration;

an output arranged to output a hit signal in response to determinationby the processor that the sensor array has been hit by the weaponsimulator; and

at least one carrier body arranged to support the photodiodes of thesensor array on a user;

the sensor array comprising at least one reflective sensor supported onsaid at least one carrier body such that said at least one reflectivesensor is oriented to capture light signal reflected off of the user.

The carrier body preferably include a projecting portion arranged toproject outwardly from a respective surface portion of the user so as tobe oriented transversely to the surface portion of the user in whichsaid at least one reflective sensor is supported on the projectingportion so as to be arranged to capture light signals reflected off ofthe surface portion of the user.

The projecting portion may be supported on the carrier body so as to bearranged to face downwardly when supported on the user.

The carrier body upon which said at least one reflective sensor issupported is preferably arranged to be supported on a head of the usersuch that the projecting portion upon which said at least one reflectivesensor is supported comprises a downward facing bottom side of a visorprojecting outwardly above a face area of the user.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the weapon simulation system of thepresent invention applied to two users.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the receiver system worn by oneuser.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the receiver system worn by oneuser.

FIG. 4 is an exploded schematic representation of the components of thereceiver system for one user.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of one of the target deviceswhich form part of the receiver system for one user.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the components of the target device of FIG. 5shown separated from one another.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an underside of the visor portion of thetarget device to be worn on the head of a user.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the target device worn on the head of auser with a target area shown highlighted on the face of the user fromwhich reflected light signals can be sensed.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of the placement of one of thephotodiodes in relation to the striking surface.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of the directivity of thephotodiodes.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the accompanying figures, there is illustrated a lightbased weapon simulation system generally indicated by reference numeral10. The system 10 is intended to be used with a plurality of users inwhich each user is provided with a weapon simulator 12 and a receiversystem 14.

The weapon simulator 12 is generally in the form of a handgun and isused to simulate weapon strikes against other users. The weaponsimulator includes a handgun-shaped body carried in the hand of the userand a trigger 16 supported thereon for activation by the user. Theweapon simulator further includes a firing chamber 18 arranged toreceive a blank cartridge therein and fire the cartridge responsive toactuation of the trigger. A primary transmitter 20 is also provided foremitting a light signal responsive to actuation of the trigger. Thelight signal generally takes the form of a straight and focused laserbeam comprising pulsed light which defines one or more activation codeswithin a sequence in which each activation code comprises several pulsesover a respective prescribed duration of time. The light may comprisevisible red light, visible green light, infrared light, or any otherlight within the visible or non-visible spectrums.

The receiver system worn by each user generally includes a plurality ofseparate target devices of like configuration. Each target deviceincludes a carrier body arranged for carrying the respective body deviceon a respective body portion of the user. The target devices include afront panel 24 supported on the chest of the user, a rear panel 26,supported on the back of the user, two side panels 28 arranged to besupported along respective sides of the torso of the user and a cap 30arranged to be supported on the head of the user. The cap 30 furtherincludes a visor 32 defining a projecting portion of that target devicewhich projects outwardly above the face of the user. The visor isaccordingly oriented transverse to the face of the user so as to besuitably oriented to receive light signals reflected off of the targetarea 34 on the face of the user as shown in FIG. 8.

More particularly, each target device includes a backing panel 36 joinedto the carrier body for being supported against the body of a user. Asensor array 38 is provided in the form of an evenly spaced grid ofphotodiode sensors 39 at a prescribed spacing from one another. Thephotodiode sensors 39 are each arranged to generate a respective outputsignal in response to light received thereon.

Each target device also includes a layer of diffusing material 40spanning over the sensor array 38 to define the striking surface “S”. Inthe preferred embodiment, the diffuser layer comprises a sheet ofCoroplast™ of uniform thickness.

More particularly, each photodiode has respective directivitycharacteristics as represented in FIG. 10 which defines a width of thefocal plane of the photodiode at different focal lengths between thefocal plane and the photodiode. As shown in FIG. 9, each photodiode 39is supported at a prescribed focal length “f_(l)” from the strikingsurface “S” that spans over the sensor array parallel to the backingpanel 36 and that the lasers are directed. The prescribed focal lengthdefining the distance that the photodiodes are spaced from the strikingsurface is uniform among all photodiodes. The resulting focal plane ofeach photodiode at the striking surface “S” has a prescribed focal width“D”. Each photodiode is spaced apart from other diodes such that adistance “d” between centers of the photodiodes is less than theprescribed focal width “D” to ensure that all points on the strikingsurface is within the focal plane of at least one photodiode.

The laser beam in free space is not detectable by the sensor. For thelaser beam (or signal) to be detected it must strike a surface visibleto the sensor. The use of coroplast is added in front of the sensors toprovide this surface. The front surface of the coroplast is the FocalPlane for the sensors.

The sensors are forward looking and can detect the signal in a coneshaped region that is referred to as Directivity in the characteristicsof the sensor. The Directivity is the angle of the cone the sensor candetect the signal. When the laser beam strikes the coroplast it can bedetected by the sensor as long as it is within the sensors detectioncone. The greater the distance the sensor is located from the focalplane the larger the diameter of the cone at the focal plane.

To be able to space the sensors at an acceptable distance betweencenters, the focal plane needs to be extended in front of the face ofthe sensor (Focal Distance). The chosen Focal Distance is primarilycontrolled by the physical limitations of the acceptable panel thicknessand available materials.

The chosen material is 4 mm thick Coroplast. At a Focal Distance of 4 mmthe sensor spacing can be calculated to 30 mm on centers. A distance of25.5 mm on center was chosen to evenly space the sensors on the panelsand provide a reasonable engineering margin.

Each target device further includes an outer filter layer 42 spanningacross the sensor array for filtering the light therethrough to preventat least some undesirable parts of the light spectrum from reaching thephotodiode sensors. The filters are designed to reduce the ambient lightnoise without reducing the coded laser signal.

An attenuator layer 44 also spans the sensor array at a location betweenthe diffuser layer 40 and the outer filter layer 42. The attenuatorlayer 44 may provide some diffusing function, but primarily attenuatesany light directed at the photodiodes such that the attenuator layerattenuates both ambient light and other light noise as well as somewhatattenuating the coded laser signal.

Each target device includes a processor associated with all of thediodes of that array. The processor receives and monitors all of theoutput signals from the respective diodes and is arranged to determinethat the target device has been hit by the weapon simulator if certainconditions are met. In particular, various portions of any oneactivation code of the light signal can impact the one or plural of thephotodiodes respectively within the prescribed duration of theactivation code to determine a hit. For example if a first portion ofone activation code is received by one photodiode and one or moreadditional portions of the same activation code are received by eitherthe same or different respective ones of the photodiodes, thedetermination of a hit can still be made as long as the first portion ofthe activation code and the one or more additional portions collectivelycorrespond to the entirety of one activation code and all of therespective portions of the code are received within the respectiveprescribed duration for the activation code in relation to one another.

Each target device include an output 48 associated therewith foroutputting the hit signal in response to determination by the processorthat the respective sensor array has been hit by the weapon simulator.

The receiver system further includes a hub 50 in communication with allof the outputs 48 of the various target devices for receiving all of thehit signals. The hub 50 is further arranged to identify each targetdevice and associate the respective target device identification witheach hit signal being received.

A transmitter 52 is coupled to the hub 50 for transmitting all of thehit signals received by the hub along with the target deviceidentification associated therewith to an auxiliary device. Theauxiliary device may take various forms, for example a controller forrecording hits for scoring purposes.

In the illustrated embodiment, the auxiliary device comprises anelectrical shock generating device 54 worn as a belt about the waist ofthe user. The device 54 includes a suitable receiver for receiving thehit signal transmitted by the transmitter 52 coupled to the hub 50 ofthe receiver system. The shock device 54 is in turn arranged to deliveran electrical shock to the user according to various criteria prescribedby a controller of the shock device. A suitable controller and shockdevice are described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/314,833 and Canadian application 2,778,941, the disclosures of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

The transmitter 52 may comprise an RF transmitter such that the hitsignal transmitted therefrom is a radio frequency signal arranged to bereceived by an RF receiver on the controller of the shock device.Alternatively the transmitter 52 may include a hard wired connection tothe controller of the shock device such that the hit signal istransmitted in electrical form by the hardwire connection.

Some of the photodiodes may take the form of reflective sensors whichare supported on the respective carrier body so as to be arranged to besupported on a user such that the reflective sensors are oriented tocapture light signals which are reflected off of a user. In theillustrated embodiment, the reflective sensors 56 are supported on thedownward facing bottom side of the visor 32 of the target device in theform of a cap 30 supported on the head of the user. The reflectivesensors are thus supported on a surface oriented transversely to theface of the user so that light reflected off of the target area 34 onthe face of the user is reflected onto one or more of the reflectivesensors 56 which are spaced apart in a grid on the downward facingsensing surface of the visor. The reflective sensors do not require thesame degree of filtering or diffusion provided by auxiliary layerssupported thereacross as in the other photodiodes on the other targetdevices due to the reflected light already comprising a beam diffusedover a much larger area. Furthermore, the downward facing orientation ofthe sensing surface on the underside of the visor is less likely toreceive erroneous light signals directed thereon from ambient lightingconditions.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein abovedescribed, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same madewithin the spirit and scope of the claims without department from suchspirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in theaccompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only andnot in a limiting sense.

1. A method of simulating a weapon strike against a user, the methodcomprising: providing a weapon simulator having a trigger and atransmitter arranged to emit a light signal responsive to actuation ofthe trigger, the light signal comprising a beam of pulsed light definingone or more activation codes, each of prescribed duration; providing theuser with a target device carried on the user, the target devicecomprising: a sensor array comprising a plurality of photodiodesarranged to generate respective output signals responsive to lightreceived thereon; a processor associated with the sensor array so as tobe arranged to receive the output signals from the photodiodes of thesensor array; the processor being arranged to determine that the sensorarray has been hit by the weapon simulator in response to one activationcode being received by the photodiodes within the respective prescribedduration; an output arranged to output a hit signal in response todetermination by the processor that the sensor array has been hit by theweapon simulator; and at least one carrier body supporting thephotodiodes of the sensor array on the user; said at least one carrierbody including a projecting visor portion; the sensor array comprisingat least one reflective sensor supported on the projecting visor portionof said at least one carrier body; supporting the projecting visorportion above a face of the user so as to project outwardly from theface of the user and be oriented transversely to the face of the usersuch that said at least one reflective sensor is supported on a bottomside of the projecting visor portion to face downwardly; using theweapon simulator to emit a light signal and to direct the light signaltowards the user; and outputting the hit signal from the target deviceby reflecting the light signal off of the face of the user onto said atleast one reflective sensor supported on the bottom side of theprojecting visor portion of said at least one carrier body. 2.-8.(canceled)